Heating unit



Apriln 15, 1930.

A. a. MQ'LMNE HEATING UNIT Filed Maren 26. 192e 2 sheds-snee: 2

y @lw iwi @i Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR B. MODINE, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MODINE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN HEATING UNIT Application filed March 26, 1926. Serial No. 97,751.

`steam or hot water pipes by means through which steam or hot water is supplied to the cores.

Another particular object of the invention is to provide improved radiator cores for heating devices of the'kind described.

One form of the invention is embodied in a heating unit comprising a frame which consists of two spaced frame members having passages therethrough arranged to commu nicate with the upper and lower tanks of a radiator core carried by the frame, the frame members being secured to each other by plates. Mounted upon one of the frame members is an electric motor adapted to drive a fan which advances a column of air through the radiator core. Coaxially disposed and screw-threaded. into theY frame members and communicating with the passages therein are nipples which permit the frame to be connected to a steam or hot water pipe and to a return pipe in such manner that the frame and radiator core may be angularly adjusted as a unit around the coincident axes of the nipples. The radiator core preferably comprises fins adapted to deflect the air in a predetermined direction.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts: t f

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of heating apparatus'embodying the invention, my improved heating unit being shown operatively connected between a steam or hot water pipe, and a return pipe;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the-improved heating unit;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the improved heating unit;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of l Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isa section 4taken on line 5-5 of fig. 6 is a sectiontaken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

i Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 7--7 of Fi 1;

Fig. 8 is a agmentary section showing another form of the invention; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentarysection showing still another formvof the invention.

In the drawings the reference character 10 designates generally my improvedV heating unit which is preferably suspended from a steam or hot water pipe 11 by means hereinafter described, other means being provided for connecting the heating unit to a drain or return pipe 12.

The heating unit 10.is of the type shown and described in my Patents No. 1,726,275 and No. 1,726,361, both granted August 27, 1929, and preferably comprises a frame 13 carrying a radiator core 14, the radiator. core 14 being secured to the frame 13 by bolts 21 or the equivalents, for the purpose. As shown, the frame 13 preferably comprises upper and lower walls or frame members 15 and 16, respectively, that may be referred to as manifolds and are formed with substantially U- shaped passages 17 and 18, respectively, which communicate with the radiator core 14. The radiator core 14 may be of any suitable construction, but preferably comprises upper and lower headers or tanks 19 and 20, respectively, between which a plurality of tubes 22 extend so that fiuid may flow .from the tank 19 to the tank 20. The passage 17 preferably communicates with the tank 19 at two spaced points and the passage 18 preferably communicates with the passage 2O at two spaced points (see Fig. 5). As best shown in Figs.- 4 and 5, the bolts 21 extend through the tanks 19 and 20 and into the passages 17 100 and 18, the bolts being screw-threaded into the frame members and 16. Gaskets 24, or the equivalents for the purpose, are

also function as deflectors as hereinafter more fully described.

Screw-threaded into the frame member 15 and communicating with the passage 17 is a nipple 27 which is disposed coaxially with a nipple 28 screw-threaded into the frame member 16, the nipple 28 being in communication with the passage 18. The nipple 27 is connected by a pipe union 29 to a pipe 31 which is connected to the pipe 11 by means of a T- fitting 32. The nipple 28 is similarly con` nected to thc drain or return pipe 12 by a pipe union 33. Obviously, the frame 13 toether with the core 14 may be angularly ad- ]usted as a unit around the coincident axes of the nipples 27 and 28. The frame members 15 and 16 are rigidly secured to each other and held in spaced relation by means preferably comprising side walls or plates 35, or the equivalent', which are secured to the frame members 15 and 16 by bolts or screws 37. The frame members 15 and 16 together with the plates 35 and the core 14 form a boxlke enclosure or chamber 38 in which means is preferably disposed for advancing a column of air through the core. Any suitable means may be employed to .advance this column of air through the radiator core but I prefer'- ably provide an electric motor 39 adapted to drive a fan 40 disposed adjacent the core, the electric motor 39 being mounted upon a bracket 42 which is secured to the frame member 16 by bolts 43. The electric motor 39 may be connected to any suitable source of electrical energy by any suitable means (not shown). It is readily understood that when the motor 39 is in operation, air is drawn into the chamber 38 through the rear end thereof and is then advanced through the radiator core. To insure efficient operation of the fan 4() I preferably provide an annulus 45 secured to the frame members 15 and 16.

Referring now to the construction of the radiator core 14, it will be noted that the tanks 19 and 20 are preferably connected to each other by reinforcing strips 46 which extend along the sides of the core. In the. embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, the fins 23 are bent as at 47 to provide downwardly inclined flanges 48. The flanges 48 deflect the air driven through the core by the fan in a downward direction. Obviously, the inclination of the flanges 48 may be as desired and in some instances it may be preferable to have them deflect the air in an upward direction.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated another form of the invention wherein the tubes 22 are provided with substantially flat fins 49 which are 4 disposed substantially parallel to the direction in which the air is being advanced by the fan. It is readily understood that the fins 49 do not deflect the air passing through theradiator core.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated still another form of the invention in which the tubes 22 are provided with substantially flat fins 50 disposed at an angle to the horizontal so that substantially the saine results may he obtained with them as are obtained with the aforementioned fins 23.

It will be noted that my improved heating unit comprises efficient heating means together with efficient means for causing a flow of air through the heating means and that the heating means and the air circulating means may be adjusted as a unit around a vertical axis to deliver the heated air lin a predetermined direction. It will also be noted that the heated air does not come in contact with the electrical motor 39 but that the motor is subjected to the cooling influence of the air drawn into the chamber 38 by the fan.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangementA and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned. What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with means for supplying fluid, of a drain, and heat exchange means interposed between sai';d first-mentioned means and said drain, said heat exchange means comprising a frame connected to said first-mentioned means and said drain and adjustable around an axis of rotation, coincident with the longitudinal axis of said first-mentioned means, a radiator core carried by the frame and communicating with said first-mentioned means and said drain, a fan disposed in close proximity to the rear face of the radiator core for advancing a column of air therethrough, and means mounted on the frame for driving the fan.

2. The ,combination with -means for supplying fluid, of a drain, and heat exchange means interposed between said first-mentioned means and said drain, said heat exchange means comprising a frame connected to said first-mentioned means and said drain and adjustable around an axis of rotation, coincident with said drain, a radiator core carried by theframe and communicating with said first-mentioned means and said lower tanks, the upper tank communicatingl at two spaced points with one of said passages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced Apoints with another of said passages, a fan for advancing a column of air through said core, and means carried by the frame for driving the fan.

4. Apparatus of the kind described co1n prising a frame having a plurality of spaced U-shaped passages therein, a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points with one of said passages and the lower tank communicating at` two spaced points with another of said pas; sages, a fan for advancing a column of air throughsaid core, means carried by the frame `:tor driving the fan, and means adjustably connecting said frame to a fluid supply pipe, one of said passages communicating with said pipe through said connecting means.

5. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame having a plurality of spaced U-shaped passages therein a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points with one ot' said passages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced points with another of said passages, a fan ror advancing a column of air throughsaid core, means carried by the frame for driving the fan, andtubular means including a-V pipe union for connecting said frame to afluid supply pipe, one of said passages communicating with said fluid supply pipe 'through said tubular means.

6. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame having a plurality of spaced U-shaped passages therein, a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points with one of said passages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced` points with another of said passages, a fan for advancing a column of air through said core, means carried by the frame for driving the fan, and means for suspending said frame from a fluid supply pipe, one

y of said passages communicatingy with the pipe throu h said suspending means.

7. ipparatus of the kind described comrising a trarne having a plurality of spaced El-shaped passagestherein, a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points with one of said passages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced points with another of said passages, a fan for advancing a column of air throughv said core, means carried by the frame for driving the fan, and means including a pipe union for suspending said frame from a fluid supply pipe, the frame being adjustable around the longitudinal axis of. the pipe union and one of said passages being in communication with the iuid supply pipe through said suspending means.

8. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame having a .plurality of spaced U-shaped passages therein, a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points with one of saidpassages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced points with another of said passages, a fan for advancing a column of air through said core, means carried bythe frame for driving the fan, means including a pipe union for suspendin said frame from a fluid supply pipe, the trame being adjustable around the longitudinal axis of the pipe union and one of said passages being in communication with the fluid supply pipe through said sus pending means, and means for connecting another of said passages to a drain pi Je.

9. Apparatus of the kind descri ed comprising a frame having a plurality of spaced U-shaped passages therein, a radiator core secured to the frame and having upper and lower tanks, the upper tank communicating at two spaced points withone of saidipassages and the lower tank communicating at two spaced points with another of said passages, a fan for advancing a column of air through said core, means carried by the frame for driving the fan, means including a pipe union for suspending said frame from a Huid supply pipe, the frame being adjustable around the longitudinal axis of the pipe union and one of said passages being in communication with theluid supply pipe through said sus* pending means, and means including a pipe union for connecting another of said passages to a drain pipe.

l0. The combination with means for supplying Huid, of a drain, and heat exchange means interposed between said Erst-mentioned means and said drain, said heat exchange means comprising a fabricated frame having top, bottom and s1de walls, said frame being connected to said first-mentioned means and said drain and beingr adjustable around an aXis of rotation, a radiator core carried by the frame and communicating with said irstmentioned means and said drain, a fan disposed in close proximity to the rear face of the radiator core for advancing a column of air therethrough, and means mounted on the frame for driving the fan.

ll. Tho combination Jwith means for supplying fluid, ofy a drain, and heat exchange means interposed between said first-men- V I X,"

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having top,bottom and side Walls, said frame being connected to said first-mentioned means and said drain and being adjustable around an axis of rotation, a radiator .core carried by the frame and communicatingthrough said top and bottom walls with said firstmentioned means and said drain, a fan disl posed in close proximity to the rear face ot the radiator core-for advancing a column of air therethrough, and means mounted in the frame for driving the fan. v

12. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame member having a passage therein, a second frame member having a passage therein, side plates secured to the frame members and forming an enclosure therewith a radiator core secured to the frame members and closing one end of said enolosure, the other end of said enclosure being open to the atmosphere, said radiator core being in communication with said passages, and means in said enclosure for advancing air through said core.

13. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame member having a passage therein, a second frame member having a passa e therein, side plates securing said second rame memberto said first-mentioned frame member and forming an enclosure with said frame members, a radiator core secured to the frame members and closing one end of said enclosure, the other end of said enclosure being open to the atmosphere, said radiator core being in communication with said passages, means in saidenclosure for advancing air through said core, and tubular means for suspending said first-mentioned frame member from a fluid supply pipe, said tubular means communicating w1th said pipe and with said passage in the first-mentioned frame member.

14. Apparatus of the kind described comprising a frame member having. a' passage therein, a second frame member having a passage therein, side plates securing said second frame member to said first-mentioned frame member and forming an enclosure with said frame members, a radiator core secured to the frame members and closing one end of said enclosure,said radiator core being in communication with said passages, means in said enclosure for advancing air through said core, tubular means including a ipe union for connecting the passage in said rstmentioned frame member to a fluid supply pipe, said first-mentioned-frame being suspended from said pipe by said tubular means, and tubular means including a pipe union for connecting said assage in said second frame member with a rain pipe.

v 15. The combination with means for supplying fluid, of a drain, and heat exchange means interposed between said first-mentioned means and said drain, said heat exchange means comprising a frame connected to said first-mentioned means and said drain and adjustable around a fixed axis of rotation, a radiator core carried by the frame and communicating with said first-mentioned means `and said drain, a fan disposed in close proximity to the rear face of the radiator core for advancing a column of air therethrough, and means mounted on the frame for driving the fan.

16. A device of the kind described adapted to be suspended from an overhead support, said device com rising a radiator formed of two spaced tan s and tubular means connecting the tanks, a bracket for supplying fluid to one of said tanks, said bracket being provided with a branching passage having a plurality of outlets opening into the lastmentioned tank, and a second bracket having a passage communicating with the other tank, the passage in said second bracket being adapted to communicate with a drain.

17. A device of the kind described comprising tubular means adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid, a manifold having a branching assage therein, a radiator fixed to said mani old and adapted to receive fluid from the branches of said passage, a second manifold having a passage therein adapted to receive fluid from said radiator, a second tubular means communicating with the passage in said second manifold, and means for advancing air through said radiator, said radiator and said air advancing means being adj ustable as a unit around an axis of rotation coincident with the axes of the first-mentioned tubular means and said second tubular means. 4

- 418. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a housing-like frame comprising a manifold forming the top wall of the frame, plates forming the side walls of the frame, and a member forming the bottom wall of the frame, of a radiator disposed ,at the front end of the housing and adapted vto be supplied with fluid through said manifold, means for suspending said frame from an overhead support, and means supported within said frame for advancing air through said radiator.

19. In a device of the kind described, the combination of hollow members respectively providing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, radiator tubes arranged transversely of said hollow members, the opposite ends thereof being respectively connected With said hollow members, plates connecting the opposite ends of rotatable element of said means being arranged in said'aperture between the radiator and said arm and cooperating with said plate for advancing air through said radiator.

20. In a device of therkind described, the combination of a radiator, hollow members respectively providing va fluid inlet and a fluid outlet which vcommunicate with said radiator, said Ahollow members being respectively located at the opposite ends of said radiator, plates arranged at the sides ot the radiator and secured to the opposite ends of the hollow members, said members, plates and radiator providing an open ended box-like structure, an arm extending inwardly from one wall of said box-like structure, means supported by said arm for advancing air t-hrough the radiator, and an apertured plate located in said box-like structure between the radiator and the open end of the box-like structure, said plate cooperating with said air advancing means for advancing air through.y

said radiator.

2l. In a device of the kind described, the

. combination of a radiator.I hollow members respectively providing a iiuid inlet and a fluid outlet which communicate with said radiator, said hollow members being respectively located at the opposite ends of said radiator, plates arranged at the sides of the radiator and secured to opposite ends ot' the hollow members, said hollow members, plates and radiator providing an open ended boxlike structure, an arm extending inwardly from one wall of said box-like structure, said arm being connected to one of the hollow members, means supported by said arm for advancing air through the radiator, and an apertur'ed plate extending inwardly from the walls ot said box-like structure and providing means cooperating with said air advanc ing means for advancing air through the radiator.

22. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a radiator, hollow members respectively providing a iuid inlet and a fluid outlet which communicate with said raf diator, said hollow members being respectively located at the opposite ends of said radiator, plates arranged at the sides of the radiator and secured to the opposite ends of each of the hollow members, said members, plates and radiator providing an open ended box-like structure, an arm extending inward- L ly rom'one wall of said boXlike structure,

air advancing means supported by said arm for advancing air through the radiator, an annulus extending from the walls of said box-like structure in which an element of said air advancingmeans is located Jfor rotation. l

23. In a device of the kind described, the combination of a radiator having tubes, members respectively providing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with which said tubes communiat opposite ends of said tubes, plates arranged` at the sides ot the radiator and secured to the opposite ends of the fluid inlet and outlet' members, said members, plates and radiator tubes providing an open ended box-like struc' ture, an armextending inwardly from one of said members, saidmembers having an extension providing a support for said arm, said arm providing a support for air advancing means for advancing air through the radiator, and an annulus extending from the walls toward the opening of said box-like structure for cooperating with. said air advancing means to advance air through the radiator.

24. In a device of the kind described, the combination of radiator tubes, hollowmembers for connection'with a fluid inlet and outlet pipe respectively providinga uid inlet and a iuid outlet Jfor said radiator` tubes, said hollow members being respectively located at the opposite ends of the radiator tubes, said radiator tubes and members being separably connected with each other, plates arranged perpendicularly to said hollow members upon opposite sides of said radiator tubes, said plates being separably connected with said hollowmembe'rs, said hollow members and plates being extended in the same direction' beyond the radiator tubes, said radiator, members and plates Jforming an open ended box-like structure, an arm extending inwardly of the plates and members and pro-- viding a support, air advancing means including a motor and a rotatable element securedV to the shaft of the motor, said rotatable element of said air advancing means being located between the radiator andthe open end of said box-like structure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. i

yARTHUR B. MODINE.

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